[pelhome]

My friend wants me to paint the exterior of her house for her. I think about $25/hour equivalent would be fair but I do not know how long it will take and she wants to know the total before agreeing. How can I provide her a "bid" for the job. I tried the free Planswift trial software but that only works if you have the house plans in a file like PDF.

 

[Brushjockey]

Have a professional do it. They know what and why.
Prices are figured by knowing ones production rate, prep involved, cost of materials, what one needs to make as wage, and to a pro with a real biz- overhead and profit.
Other than real info- a case of beer and a buck 2 eighty sounds about right.

 

[user1007]

There are some great paint job estimating software products so search around. Believe it or not, your real paint store will help you.

I am finishing a couple bids this morning and use one software product I like. I was also in the business for decades. I have actually seen the jobs I am bidding and hope I can guess what can go wrong.

I am offering a complete estimate with usual nuances. Shmucks that are actually going to do the work are going to get more than $25 an hour though. I am thinking of flying one in from Maryland who paints wearing no pants. I know he will work for chimp change.

Painting is really all about the prep. Have you looked carefully at what you might be in for with this exterior? I actually did exterior work only when I had too do so. I am not afraid of heights but as I have aged, ladders scare me. I find no pleasure at all climbing three stories to pimp out the third story of a gingerbread Queen Anne.

Do you have nice safe ladders or scaffolding lined up for this? They are rather important for exterior work?

Your friend is well within her rights asking for a job bid. If you come up with a number that works be prepared for all kinds of things. I've painted for family and lovers at times. I still love them all but they top the list of my worst clients.

 

[Gymschu]

$85,000 should cover it.

 

[chrisn]

$85,000 should cover it.

I would do it for half that:yes:

 

[CoconutPete]

I would do it for half that:yes:

And if expenses run higher there's always "The dudes from the internet told me I should charge more" :jester:

 

[chrisn]

And if expenses run higher there's always "The dudes from the internet told me I should charge more" :jester:

Well, some of that would depend on where it is:whistling2:

 

[Gymschu]

As you already know, there is no way to give a legit answer. None of us knows your skill level, how fast you move with a brush, if you are spraying or not, I mean there is literally a hundred variables that could affect an hourly rate. If she pays you $25 an hour and it takes you an hour to paint one board 8 ft. long, well, that's not much of a deal for her. Now, if you paint a whole side in an hour, it's not much of a deal for you. Then, what if the quality is not what she desires, then what? My suggestion would be to pick a small area that could be painted in about a day.........time yourself........let her inspect the work......then you both would have a better idea of what is fair.